I remember sharing a sports drink or two with my son while playing golf or after a long run. For him it was a special treat. Over recent years though, sports drinks and soft drinks have become increasingly popular amongst young Australians. Bottles have been super sized from 375ml to 600ml in recent years and this larger bottle contains twelve to fifteen teaspoons of sugar.

Unsurprisingly the evidence continues to mount that consumption of sugary acidic beverages contributes to poor oral health and other physical health problems, such as childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Many sports drinks, soft drinks and sparkling mineral waters also contain phosphoric acids, which will dissolve the hard enamel surfaces of the teeth and result in dental erosion - especially when these sugary drinks are routinely consumed.

The sugar and acid in these beverages attack teeth and gums with a vengeance, creating tooth sensitivity, grooves or notches in the sides of the teeth and the wearing down and yellowing of teeth. Since dental enamel erosion is painless, we dentists are often the first to notice the damage. Additionally the high acid and sugar environment is ideal for decay-producing bacteria.

Are sport drinks decay in a bottle?

Choice magazine in 2008 summarized:

• If you’re an elite athlete, sports drinks before and during the race might make the difference between gold and merely competing; for the rest of us they’re just another soft drink containing sugar and salt that we don’t really need.

• Some brands specifically target kids, but young athletes don’t really need these drinks. If children are thirsty they will drink water if it is provided. Sports drinks are not health drinks!

Questions to the Dentist

Q: When should my child wear a mouth guard?

A: The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends that anyone who participates in a sport that carries a risk of contact to the face should wear a mouth guard. This includes obvious sports such as football, boxing and rugby, and also collision sports where unexpected contact may occur. These sports include basketball, hockey, water polo, lacrosse, netball, baseball, softball, squash, soccer, BMX bike riding, horse riding, skateboarding, in-line skating, trampolining, cricket (wicket keeping or batting without a helmet), water skiing and snow ski racing.

Q: Why do you need a mouth guard?

A: mouth guard helps absorb the shock of a blow to the face, which might otherwise result in an injury to the mouth or jaw. A heavy collision can result in chipped or broken teeth, internal damage to a tooth, tooth loss, injuries to the soft tissue of the mouth, and in severe cases, concussion or a broken jaw. Injuries like these can lead to long and potentially expensive treatment to restore teeth and the mouth back to normal function and appearance.

Other Mouth Guard Tips:

• The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends that only a professionally custom-fitted mouth guard should be worn.

• Check your mouth guard every 12 months for optimal fit and protection.

• Keep your mouth guard clean and store it in a rigid container, away from heat to ensure it maintains its shape and fit.

For more information on mouth guards and protecting teeth visit: www.ada.org.au

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